"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
We are thinking about installing a door in our master bedroom where we
currently have a window. This would allow us to walk out onto a private
patio.

Our window is 4 feet wide x 5 feet high. Because of the interior and
exterior wall finishes, I want the width of the door to be the same 4'
width as the window. This way I can simply cut away the wall beneath the
window, set the door, and install new trim (there are no electrical cables
beneath the window). I DO NOT want to widen the door frame as this would
require a new header, rerouting electrical cables, etc. I also do not want
to narrow the frame as we want the light, and don't want to try matching
the interior/exterior finishes. However, the 4' width is a kind of an odd
size for a door.

As I see it I have a few options...

1. A single 4' wide door. Obviously a custom door, and extremely large.
I'm
not sure that we have the space in the room to swing a 4' door inside.

2. A 3' wide door with a 1' sidelight. This would reduce the swing into
the
room, but a narrow sidelight wouldn't really fit the look of the house
(inside or outside).

3. A 4' wide french door. Basically a 2' wide door with fixed 2'
sidelight.
This would look more "balanced" and would probably fit the house style
better, but I'm concerned the door itself would end up even narrower due
to
the door jambs and whatnot. I'm worried the door opening could end up
being
20" or less by the time I was finished. All of the other doors in our
house
are 36" wide, so that would be kind of narrow.

4. A 4' wide sliding door. This would have the advantage of not needing to
swing into the room, but like #3 above, the sliding portion of the door
may
end up rather narrow.

This will only be an accessory door going to a private patio, so it
doesn't
necessarily have to be a full size door. But, I don't want it to have to
"Squeeze" through the doorway either.

Anyway, I would be interested in hearing the pro's and con's of each
approach.

Thanks,

Anthony

3' door with 6" of wood panel of some type on each side. it would have to be
custom made, but you could get carving or some such to make it decorative.